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heard anything?” she asked.
    I shook my head. “How’s Tova?” I asked.
    “I just came from her place. She’s distraught. I don’t know what to do.”
    I remembered everything Darby had gone through not that long ago. It had been tough. A couple of times I’d been worried about leaving her alone. Not that I thought she’d harm herself, but because she was terrified of going to jail. It was rough. “Just be there for her. She’ll let you know what she needs.”
    She leaned closer, her brows furrowed. “I think Tova’s in a lot of trouble, Mel. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but that detective questioned her.”
    “I didn’t know.” But I wasn’t surprised.
    “He questioned both of us. I happened to be at her place when he arrived. Tova’s convinced the cops believe she was involved with Jack’s death. Why else would they come to her house?”
    “That’s normal. Those closest to the vict . . . deceased are the first people the police talk to. It doesn’t always mean anything other than the police are doing their job. What kind of questions did they ask?”
    She rubbed the back of her hand. “How well Tova and Jack got along? Have they been fighting? When was the last time I saw Jack? Where was I last night?”
    I twitched with curiosity. I wanted to know too. “They seemed like a normal dating couple.”
    “They were more than dating. They were talking about marriage.”
    My jaw hit the floor. “Are you kidding me? I didn’t realize they were serious.”
    “If it wasn’t for Kiki, Jack would have already proposed. He doesn’t like dogs.”
    What kind of person hates dogs? My opinion of Dr. O’Doggle plummeted. Although, I was suddenly confused. “Then why was he always buying Kiki gifts?”
    She rubbed the top of her hand again, nervously. “Tova told him she and Kiki were a package deal. He tried to be nice with Kiki, but she sensed it was all an act. Kiki bit him a last week. Jack and Tova had a huge fight, and she kicked him out. He was trying to get back into Tova’s good graces.”
    By kissing up to Kiki? That explained the booties.
    Kiki was one of the most well-behaved dogs I knew. At least, I’d thought she was. What had Jack O’Doggle done to her to make her lash out? Or had he done something to Tova? Either way, once Malone learned all this, it wouldn’t be good for Team Tova.
    “What do you think?” I asked.
    “About Jack?” She practically spit out his name.
    I nodded.
    Her hazel eyes narrowed. “He saw Tova as someone to trot around like arm candy while he broke her heart. He didn’t love her the way she deserved.”
    I stepped back. I wasn’t expecting such animosity. If what Stacie believed was true, Tova could be in trouble.
    “Does she have a lawyer?” I asked softly.
    Stacie blinked rapidly. “Not a criminal lawyer.” She started to reach out to me and then thought better. “Why? Do you think she needs one? That’s going to fall to me isn’t it? I’m her assistant. Somehow, that’s going to be my job.” She looked ready to burst at the seams with anxiety.
    I patted her hand awkwardly. I pulled back slowly, surprised at how rough her skin felt. No wonder she’d been rubbing it.
    She covered the back of her hand. “I’m getting over a case of poison ivy.”
    Great. I needed to wash my hands. Where was that bottle of antibacterial hand cleanser I’d just bought?
    “I’m not contagious,” she reassured me.
    Right. “Look, I’m sure everything will work out.”
    Notice I didn’t assure her it would be okay. In my experience, this type of situation always got worse before it ever got better. I had a strong feeling this time wouldn’t be an exception. Dr. O was dead, and if the red marks on his neck could talk, I’m sure they’d scream, “Stop. You’re killing me.”
    The more I thought about it, the more I was convinced, Jack O’Doggle was murdered.
    I was also convinced, in spite of what she said, I needed to wash my hands.

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